Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS093

Incident date

July 8, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, claimed that two civilians were killed and others wounded, “some of them injured badly.”

In a possible linked event, Al Hurra reported that the coalition targeted and killed Daesh leader Abu Abdallah Al Ozbeki [‘the Uzbek’], outside a hotel in the centre of Raqaa. Citing SOHR’s director Rami Abdel Rahman, it was reported that a number of civilians may also have died in the attack.

However Raqaa is Being Slaughtered Silently, while reporting coalition strikes on the city, made no mention of civilian casualties in its own coverage of the day.

The Coalition later declared this to be a duplicate of another reported event in Raqqa on this date (CS094) where it had determined civilian harm.

In its monthly civilian casualty report for October 2019 – published on December 5th of the same year – the US-led Coalition noted: “July 8, 2015, in Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegation 57 (Credible with one civilian unintentionally wounded, published 22 January 2016). 2801/CS093 37SEV008785”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ar Raqqah (الرقة‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9505639, 39.0094148. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Duplicate
    Assessed to be a duplicate of another report that has already been assessed.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    in Raqqa, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV008785
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Dec 5, 2019
  • July 8, 2015, in Raqqa, Syria, via Airwars report. The Coalition actions identified in this allegation are duplicates of those in allegation 57 (Credible with one civilian unintentionally wounded, published 22 January 2016). 2801/CS093 37SEV008785

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The coalition noted intense new activity above the city for July 8th-9th 2015, reporting that “Near Ar Raqqah, one airstrike struck 20 ISIL staging areas.”

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected target
    ISIS

Sources (4) [ collapse]